Enrollment increases, teacher resigns

SWAN VALLEY – Enrollment numbers are up at Swan Valley Elementary School for the 2022-23 school year, said Principal Aaron Morgenstern at the Sept. 13 Swan Valley School Board meeting. The School Board also received a resignation letter from Chris Mauldin, kindergarten – second grade teacher.

Enrollment is at 33 up four from the end of last year. The kindergarten-second grade class has 15 students. There are 11 in the third – fifth grade and seven in the sixth – eighth grade classrooms.

The board accepted Mauldin’s resignation. Mauldin’s contract was terminated as a special meeting May 26 since he had not met the requirements for his provisional license. After receiving an extension, the board approved rehiring him at a special meeting in July 19. Principal Aaron Morgenstern advised the board that at the beginning of this school year, Mauldin submitted a letter of intent not to sign his contract. Legal advised this could be considered as a letter of resignation.

“I did write back to him that we accepted that resignation,” Morgenstern said.

Mauldin did not sign his contract. His resignation letter was dated Aug. 31. Business Clerk Heather Mincey said the resignation letter was not available for public review since it was being reviewed by legal. The board appointed paraprofessional Nikki Harnisch as a long-term substitute until the District can fill the position.

“At the moment Nikki is operating as lead in the classroom,” Morgenstern said. “She is setting the schedule and lesson plans. I’m spending 90% of my mornings in there supporting her.”

The kindergartners will be dismissed at 1 p.m. until October when they will start full days, Morgenstern said. They are operating with fewer kids in the afternoon for a couple more weeks.

In other business the board:

Approved Classified Staff step change to accommodate a Classified Staff maxed on the payroll. This change accommodates step increases for employees with more than 20 years of service. Previously a new paraprofessional was hired at $11.51 per hour. The new rate will set beginning wages at $13 per hour.

The board will meet Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. with ARP/School Reopening Plan Review on the agenda.